Hume has faith in his youngsters

Wednesday 21st October 2009

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Lloyd Hume says he is willing to give his younger players a chance during their away game at Ashford Town (Middlesex) on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Hume saw his side progress into the second qualifying round of the FA Carlsberg Trophy last night, as Peter Hawkins’ 69th minute header was enough to beat Ryman League Division One North side Waltham Forest at the second attempt.

A crowd of only 152 attended the game at Homelands last night, proving that Stones fans aren’t happy to travel to the Kingsnorth based ground - a pain to get to without public transport - and a coach load travelled to Lewes to see their youth team win in the FA Youth Cup.

The Stones now travel to Bognor Regis Town - a side that are rooted to the foot of the Ryman Premier League table - in the next round on 31st October.

Despite a sparse turnout last night, the club banked £2,300 in much needed prize money and Hume can now look forward to a trip down to the west Sussex coast at the end of the month.

“I’m looking forward to any game to be fair,” Hume told www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night.

“But I’m glad we’re in the next round. Bognor has a nice pitch and nice facilities and hopefully we’ll get the win that we really need.

“If we can win that game, all of a sudden you’ve progressed to the next round where you get bigger and better teams and it becomes an enjoyable thing for the club, players, fans, everyone.

“We’ll be taking that game as seriously as we take any game. We’re desperate to progress into the next round.

“Whilst it might not look like the best draw, a team in our league, away from home, it’s a game we’ve got to believe we can win.”

But before their trip to Nyewood Lane, Maidstone United have a tough looking league game at Short Lane to contend with.

“It’s always a difficult place to go, even more so now with no Ashley Ulph, Tom Parkinston, Roland Edge (all injured) and now Jay Saunders (suspended for one game for picking up five bookings), so that will make a big difference for us,” said Hume.

“We’re going to rely on some of our squad players, who have always done well when they’ve come in.

“They can really stake a claim for a place. I’m looking forward to seeing them play.

“I’m not going to Ashford thinking this will be a nightmare for them because we’ve got a threadbare squad.

“I’m going to be positive and I’m not frightened to throw them (the youngsters) in.

“But, like I said, the youngsters shave to stake a claim. Tom Parkinson didn’t come out of the team, he came out due to injury and I’m sure he’d be in there now if not for the injury.”

Hume says he wants the younger players to tell him that they deserve to be in the starting eleven.

“I didn’t want to heap too much praise on the youngsters; they’ve all had their chance to start games,” explained Hume.

“It seems to be that little lack of experience; they don’t make the same impact when they start as when we bring them on.

“That’s got to be a challenge to them over the next couple of months because they are all going to get their chances and they’ve got to start taking them.

“But when you’ve got to get the three points and the fans are baying for your head when you don’t win, you put what you believe is your strongest team out.”

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Maidstone United

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 24th October 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Short Lane Stadium, Short Lane, Stanwell, Middlesex TW19 7BH